#1
پس آنگه ز مرگ منوچهر شاه
✦
بشد آگهی تا به توران سپاه
“Thereafter, news of King Manuchehr’s death reached the host of Turan.”
#2
ز نارفتن کار نوذر همان
✦
یکایک بگفتند با بدگمان
“Likewise, they reported the misrule and troubles of Nowzar to the malevolent king.”
#3
چو بشنید سالار ترکان پشنگ
✦
چنان خواست کاید به ایران به جنگ
“When Pashang, the lord of the Turks, heard this, he resolved to march against Iran in war.”
#4
یکی یاد کرد از نیا زادشم
✦
هم از تور بر زد یکی تیز دم
“He recalled his ancestor Zadasham, and uttered a fiery sigh for the sake of Tur.”
#5
ز کار منوچهر و از لشکرش
✦
ز گردان و سالار و از کشورش
“He pondered the deeds of Manuchehr, his army, his champions, his chieftain, and his realm.”
#6
همه نامداران کشورش را
✦
بخواند و بزرگان لشکرش را
“He summoned all the renowned noblemen of his realm and the grandees of his host,”
#7
چو ارجسپ و گرسیوز و بارمان
✦
چو کلباد جنگی هژبر دمان
“Chieftains such as Arjasp, Garsivaz, Barman, and the warlike, roaring-lion Kulbad,”
#8
سپهبدش چون ویسهٔ تیزچنگ
✦
که سالار بد بر سپاه پشنگ
“Along with his fierce commander Viseh, who was the supreme leader of Pashang's war host.”
#9
جهان پهلوان پورش افراسیاب
✦
بخواندش درنگی و آمد شتاب
“He summoned his son, the world-champion Afrasiab, who tarried not and came in all haste.”
#10
سخن راند از تور و از سلم گفت
✦
که کین زیر دامن نشاید نهفت
“Pashang spoke of Tur and Salm, saying: 'This hatred must no longer remain hidden beneath the hem.'”
#11
کسی را کجا مغز جوشیده نیست
✦
برو بر چنین کار پوشیده نیست
“'To anyone whose mind is not clouded, such a duty is crystal clear:'”
#12
که با ما چه کردند ایرانیان
✦
بدی را ببستند یک یک میان
“'What the Iranians did to us, girding their loins one by one to do us ill.'”
#13
کنون روز تندی و کین جستنست
✦
رخ از خون دیده گه شستنست
“'Now is the day of fury and seeking revenge; now is the time to wash one's face with tears of blood.'”
#14
ز گفت پدر مغز افراسیاب
✦
برآمد ز آرام وز خورد و خواب
“At his father's words, Afrasiab's mind boiled over; peace, food, and sleep vanished from him.”
#15
به پیش پدر شد گشاده زبان
✦
دل آگنده از کین کمر برمیان
“He came before his father with an open, fiery tongue, his heart filled with vengeance and his waist girded.”
#16
که شایستهٔ جنگ شیران منم
✦
هم‌آورد سالار ایران منم
“'I am the one worthy of fighting the lions; I am the equal of Iran's warlord!'”
#17
اگر زادشم تیغ برداشتی
✦
جهان را به گرشاسپ نگذاشتی
“'Had Zadasham raised his sword, he would not have left the world in the hands of Garshasp!'”
#18
میان را ببستی به کین آوری
✦
بایران نکردی مگر سروری
“'He would have girded himself for vengeance and established supreme mastery over Iran!'”
#19
کنون هرچه مانیده بود از نیا
✦
ز کین جستن و چاره و کیمیا
“'Now, whatever remains of our ancestor’s legacy—of seeking revenge, strategy, and alchemy—'”
#20
گشادنش بر تیغ تیز منست
✦
گه شورش و رستخیز منست
“'Its execution relies upon my sharp blade; this is my hour of turmoil and resurrection!'”
#21
به مغز پشنگ اندر آمد شتاب
✦
چو دید آن سهی قد افراسیاب
“Pride and eagerness flooded Pashang's mind when he beheld tall, imposing Afrasiab,”
#22
بر و بازوی شیر و هم زور پیل
✦
وزو سایه گسترده بر چند میل
“With the chest and arms of a lion and the strength of an elephant, casting a shadow miles wide.”
#23
زبانش به کردار برنده تیغ
✦
چو دریا دل و کف چو بارنده میغ
“His tongue was like a cutting sword, his heart vast as the sea, and his palm like a rain-bearing cloud.”
#24
بفرمود تا برکشد تیغ جنگ
✦
به ایران شود با سپاه پشنگ
“Pashang commanded him to unsheathe the sword of war and march into Iran with his army.”
#25
سپهبد چو شایسته بیند پسر
✦
سزد گر برآرد به خورشید سر
“When a king sees such a worthy son, it is right for him to raise his head to the sun.”
#26
پس از مرگ باشد سر او به جای
✦
ازیرا پسر نام زد رهنمای
“Even after death, his name shall endure, for he has named a son to guide his path.”
#27
چو شد ساخته کار جنگ آزمای
✦
به کاخ آمد اغریرث رهنمای
“When the warlike army was made ready, prudent Aghriras entered the palace.”
#28
به پیش پدر شد پراندیشه دل
✦
که اندیشه دارد همی پیشه دل
“He came before his father with a heart laden with deep concern, for foresight was his mind's habit.”
#29
چنین گفت کای کار دیده پدر
✦
ز ترکان به مردی برآورده سر
“He said: 'O world-experienced father, who has raised your head above the Turks in manhood,'”
#30
منوچهر از ایران اگر کم شدست
✦
سپهدار چون سام نیرم شدست
“'Though Manuchehr is gone from Iran, a commander such as Sam, son of Nariman, still remains!'”
#31
چو گرشاسپ و چون قارن رزم زن
✦
جز این نامداران آن انجمن
“'Likewise Garshasp and battle-loving Qaran, alongside other renowned lords of that assembly.'”
#32
تو دانی که با سلم و تور سترگ
✦
چه آمد ازان تیغ زن پیر گرگ؟
“'You well know what befell mighty Salm and Tur at the hands of those old sword-wielding wolves!'”
#33
نیا زادشم شاه توران سپاه
✦
که ترگش همی سود بر چرخ و ماه
“'Our ancestor Zadasham, king of Turan's host, whose helmet touched the heavens and the moon,'”
#34
ازین در سخن هیچ گونه نراند
✦
به آرام بر نامهٔ کین نخواند
“'Spoke no word of such revenge, nor read the scroll of vengeance in times of peace.'”
#35
اگر ما نشوریم بهتر بود
✦
کزین جنبش آشوب کشور بود
“'If we do not stir up war, it will be better, for this movement will bring turmoil upon the land.'”
#36
پسر را چنین داد پاسخ پشنگ
✦
که افراسیاب آن دلاور نهنگ
“Pashang answered his son thus: 'Afrasiab, that brave sea-monster,'”
#37
یکی نره شیرست روز شکار
✦
یکی پیل جنگی گه کارزار
“'Is a male lion on the day of the hunt, and a war elephant in the hour of battle!'”
#38
ترا نیز با او بباید شدن
✦
به هر بیش و کم رای فرخ زدن
“'You too must accompany him, providing auspicious counsel in every matter, great or small.'”
#39
نبیره که کین نیا را نجست
✦
سزد گر نخوانی نژادش درست
“'If a descendant does not seek vengeance for his ancestor, his lineage may rightfully be questioned.'”
#40
چو از دامن ابر چین کم شود
✦
بیابان ز باران پر از نم شود
“'When the skirts of clouds recede from China, the desert becomes soaked with rain.'”
#41
چراگاه اسپان شود کوه و دشت
✦
گیاها ز یال یلان برگذشت
“'The mountains and plains will become pasture for horses, and the grass will grow taller than the mane of heroes' steeds.'”
#42
جهان سر به سر سبز گردد ز خوید
✦
به هامون سراپرده باید کشید
“'The world will become entirely green with tender herbs; then we must pitch our royal tents upon the plains!'”
#43
سپه را همه سوی آمل براند
✦
دلی شاد بر سبزه و گل براند
“'Lead the army entirely toward Amol, driving with a glad heart over grass and blossom.'”
#44
دهستان و گرگان همه زیر نعل
✦
بکوبید وز خون کنید آب لعل
“'Trample Dehestan and Gorgan beneath your horses' hooves, and turn the waters ruby-red with blood!'”
#45
منوچهر از آن جایگه جنگجوی
✦
به کینه سوی تور بنهاد روی
“'From that very spot, Manuchehr the warrior set out with malice toward Tur.'”
#46
بکوشید با قارن رزم زن
✦
دگر گرد گرشاسپ زان انجمن
“Strive relentlessly against Qaran, the fierce warrior, and Garshasp, the noble champion of that assembly.”
#47
مگر دست یابید بر دشت کین
✦
برین دو سرافراز ایران زمین
“Perchance upon the field of vengeance you may prevail over these two illustrious leaders of the Iranian realm.”
#48
روان نیاگان ما خوش کنید
✦
دل بدسگالان پرآتش کنید
“Gladden the souls of our fallen ancestors, and set the hearts of our ill-wishing enemies ablaze with grief.”
#49
چنین گفت با نامور نامجوی
✦
که من خون به کین اندر آرم به جوی
“Thus replied the ambitious prince to his renowned father: 'In retribution, I shall make streams of blood flow like rivers!'”